Types and classes of driver's licences in B.C.
Want to drive a truck, limousine, bus, motorcycle or other vehicle?
There are 8 different classes of commercial and personal licences available. Here's where you can find out what each is used for and which one(s) might be right for you.
Read more about:
- Classes 1-4 commercial vehicles
- Classes 5, 7 regular passenger vehicles
- Classes 6, 8 motorcycles
- Trailer endorsements
- Limited speed motorcycles
Class 1 driver's licence
- Semi-trailer trucks and all other motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles except motorcycle
Steps to getting your commercial driver's licence »
Class 2 driver's licence
- Buses, including school buses, special activity buses and special vehicles
- Trailers or towed vehicles may not exceed 4,600 kilograms except if the bus and trailers or towed vehicles do not have air brakes
- Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 4
Steps to getting your commercial driver's licence »
Class 3 driver's licence
- Trucks with more than 2 axles, such as dump trucks and large tow trucks, but not including a bus that is being used to transport passengers
- Trailers may not exceed 4,600 kilograms except if the truck and trailers do not have air brakes
- A tow car towing a vehicle of any weight
- A mobile truck crane
- Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5
Steps to getting your commercial driver's licence »
Class 4 driver's licence (unrestricted)
- Buses with a maximum seating capacity of 25 persons (including the driver), including school buses, special activity buses and special vehicles used to transport people with disabilities
- Taxis and limousines
- Ambulances
- Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5
Steps to getting your commercial driver's licence »
Class 4 driver's licence (restricted)
- Taxis and limousines (up to 10 persons including the driver)
- Ambulances
- Special vehicles with a seating capacity of not more than 10 persons (including the driver) used to transport people with disabilities
- Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5
Steps to getting your commerical driver's licence »
Class 5 or 7 driver's licence
- 2 axle vehicles including cars, vans, trucks and tow trucks
- Trailers or towed vehicles may not exceed 4,600 kilograms
- Motor homes (including those with more than 2 axles)
- Limited speed motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
- Passenger vehicles used as school buses with seating capacity of not more than 10 persons (including the driver)
- Construction vehicles
- Utility vehicles
- 3-wheeled vehicles - does not include 3-wheeled motorcycles (trikes) or motorcycle/sidecar combinations
- Does not include Class 4 vehicles or motorcycles
Steps to getting your passenger vehicle licence as a new driver »
Steps to getting your passenger vehicle licence as a new resident »
Class 6 or 8 driver's licence
- Motorcycles, all-terrain cycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
Steps to getting your motorcycle licence as a new driver »
Steps to getting your motorcycle licence as an experienced driver »
Class 4 or 5 driver's licence with heavy trailer endorsement (code 20)
- Trailers or towed vehicles exceeding 4,600 kilograms provided neither the truck nor trailer has air brakes
- Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5
Do I need a heavy trailer endorsement?
Class 4 or 5 driver's licence with house trailer endorsement (code 7 or 51)
- Recreational (house) trailers exceeding 4,600 kg, when the trailer or truck towing it does not have air brakes
- Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5
Note: As of March 28, 2011, house trailer endorsements will be issued as endorsement 7. All drivers who currently have a code 51 house trailer endorsement will be changed over to endorsement 7 on their next renewal.
Apply for a house trailer endorsement »
Limited-speed motorcycles – almost any B.C. driver’s licence
- May be operated with most classes of driver's licence.
- Cannot be operated on a learner's licence other than a Class 6 or 8 motorcycle learner's licence.
A limited-speed motorcycle has:
- A motor with a piston displacement of 50 cc or less, or a power source that produces a maximum of 1.5 kW
- A power drive system that does not require clutching or shifting after the drive system is engaged
- A maximum speed of 70 km/h on level ground
- A maximum weight of 95 kg
- Wheels with a diameter of at least 254 mm